COMPANIONSHIP

A domestic comic tragedy in nine scenes

AUTHORS

Composer and Librettist: Rachel J. Peters

Adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips

SYNOPSIS

Recovering from a nervous breakdown, aspiring baker Leslie Sinclair finally reaches the end of her obsessive quest to bake the perfect baguette when the 207,345th one suddenly comes to life. Companionship mirrors our contemporary world, where what we consume becomes all-consuming.

INSTRUMENTATION

1.0.1 (doubling t.sax).1/0.0.1.0/pft- perc (1)/1.1.1.1.1 (doubling elec. bass)

DURATION

1 hour and 20 minutes

CAST

LESLIE SINCLAIR, 27. Coloratura Soprano

THE DOUGH, ageless. Mezzo-Soprano

GENE SINCLAIR, 55. Baritone

JUDY SINCLAIR, 58. Mezzo-Soprano

VIV SINCLAIR, 27. Lyric Soprano

THE DOUGH’S MATE, ageless. Bass-Baritone

TOM, 31. Tenor.

THE LOAVES, children’s chorus, a multiple of four

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

  • International Premiere, University of Music and Arts Vienna, 2024

  • World Premiere Production with Orchestra, Virginia Arts Festival, 2022

  • World Premiere Piano/Vocal Production, Fort Worth Opera, 2019

  • Staged excerpts, Manhattan School of Music/American Opera Project, 2014

Earlier development supported by American Opera Project Composers and the Voice and John Duffy Institute for New Opera fellowships.

This work is available for performance worldwide.

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IMAGES

Production by Virginia Arts Festival/The American Opera Project | Directed by Bob McGrath | Photos by Jason Amato

Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Virginia Festival of the Arts production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips

Production by MDW (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) | Directed by Nastasia Griese | Photos by Sebastian Pflügelmeier

Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the MDW University of the Arts Vienna production of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips

World Premiere Production by Fort Worth Opera | Directed by Beth Greenberg | Photos by Karen Almond

Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
Scene from the Fort Worth Opera world premiere of Companionship, an opera by composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters, adapted from the short story by Arthur Phillips
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EVERYTHING COMES TO A HEAD